Madness

Madness ‘Take It Or Leave It’ 1981 Film – Restored By BFI

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:26:52 +0000

‘Before the hits came the hustle’

Take It Or Leave It, originally released in 1981, is the highly entertaining story of how Madness, one of the most successful and enduring British bands of all time, originally got together. Filmed after the band had enjoyed a succession of Top 10 singles and had endeared themselves to the British public with the humour of their iconic music videos, it explores how a bunch of seven mates living in Camden Town in the late 70s got together to form the band – the jobs they left behind, the line-up changes, the rows, the laughs, and how their distinctive ska-pop ‘Nutty Sound’ evolved.

Produced and directed by Stiff Records’ supremo Dave Robinson, his first feature film, with no written script and no ‘acting’ the film was completely based on real events with improvised dialogue. The soundtrack includes a mix of both live and studio recordings and among the hits included are One Step Beyond, Night Boat to Cairo, My Girl, Baggy Trousers and Embarrassment.

Newly restored by the British Film Institute. the film will be released on DVD / Blu-Ray on 19th October, featuring a host of extras (see below).

Pre order it now from the BFI.

DVD / Blu-Ray Extras:
Newly restored in 4K by the BFI and presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
Audio commentary by director Dave ‘Robbo’ Robinson and Chris ‘Chrissy Boy’ Foreman (2002)
Interviews with Suggs, Mark ‘Bedders’ Bedford and Dave Robinson (2026): the bandmembers and director recall their memories of making the film and how they feel about it now
Music videos (1979-2022, 22 mins): One Step Beyond, My Girl, Bed and Breakfast Man, Night Boat to Cairo, Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment, Grey Day, Madness, and The Prince
Restoration demo (2026, 2 mins): an example of the restoration work undertaken on original film materials
Original trailer (1981)
Restoration trailer (2026)
Newly created optional English descriptive subtitles
FIRST PRESSING ONLY Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Andrew Pulver and on the music videos by Johnny Mains and an original review by Neil Tennant

‘Take Cover!’ Classic Black Vinyl Reissue

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:14:59 +0000

“Take Cover!” A collection of cover versions we’ve recorded over the years is being re-issued on classic black vinyl.

Pre-order your copy now

Side A

1. One Step Beyond- Originally recorded by Prince Buster in 1964

2.⁠ ⁠My Old Man – Originally recorded by Ian Dury in 1977

3.⁠ ⁠It Must Be Love – Originally recorded by Labi Siffre in 1971

4.⁠ ⁠In The Hall Of The Mountain King – Originally composed by Edvard Grieg in 1875

5.⁠ ⁠Madness – Originally recorded by Prince Buster in 1963

6.⁠ ⁠Love Really Hurts – Originally recorded by Billy Ocean in 1976

7.⁠ ⁠Sweetest Girl – Originally recorded as ‘The Sweetest Girl’ by Scritti Politti in 1981

Side B

1.⁠ ⁠Money Money Money – Originally recorded by ABBA in 1976

2.⁠ ⁠Oh My Love – Originally recorded by John Lennon in 1971

3.⁠ ⁠Bittersweet – Originally recorded by The Undertones in 1983

4.⁠ ⁠Roadette Song – Originally recorded by Kilburn and the High Roads in 1975

5.⁠ ⁠If I Didn’t Care – Originally recorded by The Ink Spots in 1939

6.⁠ ⁠The Harder They Come (Live At Madstock 1992) – Originally recorded by Jimmy Cliff in 1972

SILENCERZ AT THE 100 CLUB, LONDON

admin — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:16:27 +0000

Saturday 13th June, with Potato 5 & DJ Reb-ska spinning the discs
TICKETS

MADROPHENIA 2026 – Madness On The Beach

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:52:48 +0000

This summer, we bring you MADROPHENIA… two days of utter Madness on Brighton beach (actually on the beach !!!)

With special guests The Selecter, Craig Charles and The Beatles Dub Club on 23rd July // David Rodigan and Hot 8 Brass Band on 24th July.

24th July now sold out, but fear not…
a 2nd date is confirmed on 23rd July – GET TICKETS

Accessibility information: There will be a limited allocation of free Personal Assistant tickets available from our ticket agents (details will be provided in the pre sale communications once you sign up). We do have access area on site and our team will be able to help your needs. Details in the pre sale communications once you sign up. The main area in front of the stage will be covered with flooring.

Warning, No band members were harmed in the making of this video, anything resembling reality is total AI Madness

Madness Summer Shows 2026

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:45:31 +0000

21 shows across the UK & Ireland, it’s our Hit Parade Summer Showtime Tour… ‘ave some of that

Friday 22nd May – In It Together Festival, Port Talbot – TICKETS

Saturday 23rd May – Good Times Live Festival, Chipping Sodbury – TICKETS

Friday 5th June – Kelpies Live, Falkirk, Scotland – TICKETS

Saturday 6th June – Open Air Theatre, Scarborough – TICKETS

Sunday 7th June – Summer Fest At The Beach, Weston-Super-Mare – TICKETS

Thursday 11th June – Live At The Piece Hall, Halifax – TICKETS

Friday 12th June – Live At The Piece Hall, Halifax – TICKETS

Saturday 13th June – Abbey Park, Leicester – TICKETS

Friday 19th June – Live At Lincoln Castle, Lincoln – TICKETS

Friday 17th July – Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk – TICKETS

Saturday 18th July – Haydock Park Racecourse, Merseyside – TICKETS

Thursday 23rd July – Madrophenia, On The Beach, Brighton – TICKETS

Friday 24th July – Madrophenia, On The Beach, Brighton – SOLD OUT

Sunday 26th July – Forest Festival, County Laois, Ireland – TICKETS

Saturday 8th August – Lakefest, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire – TICKETS

Sunday 9th August – Canterbury Live, Canterbury – TICKETS

Thursday 13th August – Summertime Live, Windsor – TICKETS

Friday 14th August – Boomtown Festival, Winchester – TICKETS

Friday 21st August – Trentham Live, Stoke-On-Trent – TICKETS

Saturday 22nd August – Beautiful Days Festival, Devon – TICKETS

Sunday 23rd August – Rock N Roll Circus, Norwich – TICKETS

Hit Parade Album

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:03:01 +0000

“Hit Parade” the definitive collection of 45 Madness singles spanning 1979 to 2024.

Including no less than 27 top 40 hits, would you believe it?!?

Available to BUY or STREAM now

A Message To You From Me – CB

admin — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:01:31 +0000

Dear all
Earlier this year I had severe pain in my upper back and shoulders. On the 28th of June we played a show in France and it had become unbearable. I had an MRI scan at the end of June and they found a tumour on my spine. On the 4th of July I went to the Royal Sussex and had all sorts of stuff done to me. I had radiotherapy which blasted it and stopped the pain. I actually had a Spinal Tap too – rock n roll! I wasn’t in good shape, to say the least. My kidneys were only at 14% function, which has greatly improved since then. What I’ve got is a form of cancer called myeloma. It’s treatable but not curable. When I get it into remission (I will!) I should be able to get back to normal life. Some people have had this for 20 years or more. I have a long way to go before I get back onstage but I aim to be back next year. The band, my family, my road crew family and my management team have all been very loving and supportive. One of the worst side effects is that I can’t drink alcohol but I’ve mastered a non alcoholic Margarita and those Zero alcohol beers ain’t too bad these days. It’s been really hard not being onstage with the band this year. They’ve worked really hard and the shows looked great. I don’t know how they did it without me, to be fair. I won’t be able to do Butlins or the tour this year, which is a great shame but ……”I’LL BE BACK!”
CB Foreman – Peacehaven, 29th August 2025

Mark Bedford In Conversation – Brighton, 9th October

admin — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:38:40 +0000

Mark Bedford will be in conversation with Mark Webber from Pulp in Brighton on Thursday 9th October, tickets: https://the-space.uk/

House of Fun Weekender Line-Up

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:45:06 +0000

The House of Fun Weekender 2025 line-up has just been announced.
It’s filled to the brim with brilliant Bands, DJs, Performers and extra helpings of… Thommo!
Special mentions to Neville Staple from The Specials, David Rodigan, Janet Kay, Bitty Mclean, Elvana, Aleighcia Scott, Dennis Bovell and Don Letts.

See the full line-up and book your weekend away with us HERE

Hit Parade UK Tour 2025

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

This December we’re back on the road with our HIT PARADE tour.
Buy tickets HERE

December 2025, with very special guests Squeeze:
Thu 04 – Sheffield Utilita Arena
Fri 05 – Manchester AO Arena
Sat 06 – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Sun 07 – Aberdeen P&J Live
Tue 09 – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Wed 10 – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
Frid 12 – Leeds First Direct Arena
Sat 13 – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Sun 14 – Brighton Centre (Matinee, Squeeze Not Performing)*
Sun 14 – Brighton Centre
Tue 16 – Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 18 – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Fri 19 – Birmingham Utilita Arena
Sat 20 – London The O2
* Note: Squeeze will not be performing at the matinee. Tickets are £29.50 + BKG Fee
Kicking all that off is the House of Fun Weekender, Butlin’s Minehead starting 28th Nov!